SpaceX is preparing to test the takeoff of Starship, the largest rocket in the world, this week

SpaceX is preparing to face a second attempt and relaunch the largest and most powerful rocket in the world, the Starshipawaiting authorization from the US air regulator.

“Starship is preparing to take off on November 17, subject to regulatory approval” from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), SpaceX announces on its social networks.

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The American space agency NASA is closely following the development of the Starship and is counting on this ship for its Artemis missions back to the Moon. In fact, a modified version of the machine should serve as a lander to deposit its astronauts on the lunar surface.

On April 20, Starship took off for the first time in its complete configuration from the base of Boca Chica, in the state of Texas (south). But on this occasion several engines did not work and the SpaceX teams deliberately blew up the rocket after a few minutes of flight.

The FAA then opened a safety investigation, which concluded at the end of October. It has not yet completed its environmental investigation, carried out in collaboration with federal authorities.

The first takeoff had generated a cloud of dust several kilometers northwest of the launch pad, which itself was badly damaged. Chunks of concrete had been catapulted with the power of the engines.

SpaceX then announced 63 fixes for its second attempt that include “redesigns of the vehicle hardware to prevent leaks and fires” and also the “redesign of the launch pad to increase its robustness.”

In addition, a water “deluge” system was installed and tested with showers that are discharged when the engines are started in order to attenuate acoustic waves and limit counterproductive vibrations.

Starship is 120 meters high and is made up of two sections: the Super Heavy propulsion stage and its 33 engines, and above it is the spacecraft itself, which by extension gives its name to the entire rocket.

Its real innovation is that it must be completely reusable, and the two stages are designed to return and land on its launch pad, reducing costs.

During the first test, these two stages failed to separate in flight.

This forced the separation system to also be modified, the company’s owner, tycoon Elon Musk, had reported during a conference at the beginning of October.

Musk said testing this new system would be “the riskiest part” of the second trial.

Source: Elcomercio

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